A medium-sized tree with a narrow crown and horizontal or slightly drooping branches, growing to a height of 15 - 30 m and a diameter of 0.3 - 1.2 m.

Description

Distinguishing Features - Needles: evergreen; opposite in four rows, 3 mm) long, scalelike, pointed and spreading, bright yellowish-green, generally without gland-dot. Bark: gray-brown, thin, with long narrow fissures, fibrous and shreddy. Twigs: slightly stout, flattened or four-angled, regularly branched and spreading horizontally, becoming reddish-brown. Cones: 12 mm in diameter; rounded, reddish-brown, with 4 or 6 rounded cone-scales ending in long point; maturing in 2 seasons; 2 - 4 seeds under a cone-scale.

Habitat

Native to Pacific Coast region from southern and southeastern Alaska, south through western British Columbia and Oregon to California; in wet mountain soils; mainly in mixed conifer forests; sometimes in pure stands.

Notes

The durable wood is used for furniture, interior finish, and boats. West Coast Natives made canoe paddles from the wood and carved ceremonial masks from the trunks.

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